Dutch coach Ronald Koeman has been appointed new Everton manager, penning an three-year deal at Goodison Park and swapping Southampton for the Toffees after two seasons on the south coast.
A compensation fee of around £5m between the two clubs is believed to have been agreed as Koeman had one year left on his contract.
Koeman departs St Mary’s with a 48.35 per cent win ratio to become Roberto Martinez’s replacement on Merseyside, after the Catalan tactician parted ways with Everton following an underwhelming campaign which saw them finish a disappointing 11th in the Premier League, though they did reach Capital One Cup and FA Cup semi-finals.
By contrast, former Ajax and Feyenoord boss Koeman steered Saints to a successful seventh and sixth in his two terms in charge, securing Europa League football for the southern English side, along with making value signings such as Dusan Tadic and Graziano Pelle during his time there.
Rumours suggest Southampton have asked Everton (14/1 with Coral for a Premier League top four finish next season) not to poach their players, though top talents such as Koeman’s compatriot and defender Virgil van Dijk, Saints academy graduate James Ward-Prowse and Italy international striker Graziano Pelle have already been linked with following the 53-year-old to Goodison Park.
Toffees to hand Koeman transfer kitty
Everton’s hierarchy were believed to enjoy the attacking philosophy former manager Martinez instilled on Merseyside, though it was defensive naivety which saw the Toffees often come unstuck. Koeman then, could be a cracking fit, after the former Barcelona defender carried on and adapted the possession-based but tactically astute football of predecessor Mauricio Pochettino at St Mary’s.
Having seen the Saints ship off numerous star players during his tenure, Koeman would also be well versed in finding fitting replacements, should the likes of John Stones and Romelu Lukaku be sold this summer.
Koeman’s coffers could further be boosted by those potential sales, but the coach is already tipped to be backed by a £100m transfer fund injection, with new major Toffees shareholder Farhad Moshiri ambitious to propel the club forward.
For a Koeman club, Everton already have balanced ball players such as James McCarthy, while Belgian winger Kevin Mirallas found himself on the fringes but could find himself back in favour with the Dutchman, who often fields adaptable goal-getters from wide in support of a technically gifted frontman.
Relegated Newcastle United’s Dutch dangerman Georginio Wijnaldum could cash in on the Netherlands connection, and is tipped to join the Toffees this summer, while Koeman was supposedly also interested in struggling Manchester United man Memphis Depay before his Everton switch.
Undoubtedly, plenty of Dutch or Eredivisie-based talents will be now be linked with moves to Merseyside, while Southampton will attempt to keep hold of their talents while searching for a Koeman coaching replacement.
Toffees deal pleases everyone involved
Following the appointment of Koeman, the club’s chairman Bill Kenwright was delighted to have landed his man, and said: “We are really pleased to have secured the man who was our number one target from the moment we set out to appoint a new manager.
“Ronald has such a strong track record in the game, instantly commanding respect for what he achieved as a player and for his qualities and accomplishments as a manager.
“The hopes and aspirations that we all have as Evertonians are with him, as is our total support at Board, shareholder and fan level.”
The new man at the helm was also excited by the new challenge ahead of him on Merseyside, stating: “I am very excited to be Everton manager. I believe in the Club, in the team, in the fans and in our ability to achieve things in the future.
“Everton is a club with a great history and real ambition and it is a proud feeling for me to be part of what we want to go and do, together with the Chairman and Farhad Moshiri.
“I am looking forward to meeting everyone at the Club and to preparing for a big season in the Premier League.”
So, far boss of south coast rivals Bournemouth Eddie Howe, successive Europa League winning Sevilla manager Unai Emery and ex-Ajax coach Frank de Boer are all now said to be in the St Mary’s frame this summer.
